Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces he raised $3.6 million in campaign funds during his first year in office. According to finance reports, the governor ended 2016 with $3.2 million on hand. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says being well liked helps while raising money…:
cut 4 (08) “everybody’s friend”

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for 2017 Carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey encourages revelers to say something to police if you see suspicious activity…:
CUT 7 (10) “know”
She says LSP will send 165 troopers to the Crescent City.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says letting the public decide whether to increase the gas tax to raise funds for traffic relief projects would be one option. He says asking a Republican dominated legislature to pass a 23 cent gas tax increase outright would be a tall order..:
Cut 13 (10) “vote of the people“
He says they want most of the program’s money to go to Baton Rouge projects where they are badly needed.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette has signed an endorsement-partnership deal with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte beverage. Roc Nation represents Fournette and its branding President Michael Yormark says the all-star athlete could’ve gone with the Gatorades of the world but chose a local brand to promote…:
Cut 10 (08) “the vision”
He says through the partnership, Fournette owns a small part of the company.

The campaign for Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election announces he raised $3.6 million in 2016. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says letting the public decide whether to increase the gas tax would be one option to raise funds for traffic relief projects. He says a 23 cent tax is a possible solution in coming up with the $700 million…:
cut 12 (08) “needed”
He says they can either bring the measure out right to the legislature, or put it to a vote of the people.

It’s going to be a busy weekend in New Orleans with all the events surrounding the NBA All-Star game along with Mardi Gras in full swing, and State Police says they will be ready. Trooper Melissa Matey if you’re heading down to party, one of the best ways to stay out of trouble is to avoid drinking yourself silly…:
CUT 8 (09) “safe decisions”
She says if you happen to see something that isn’t on the up-and-up, be sure to let an officer know.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette has signed an endorsement-partnership deal with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte beverage. Fournette is represented by sports agency Roc Nation and its President of Branding Michael Yormark says Fournette is excited to support a local product he believes in…
Cut 9 (08) “post workout”

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces he raised $3.6 million in campaign funds during his first year in office. According to finance reports, the governor ended 2016 with $3.2 million on hand. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says it’s an impressive haul for Edwards’ first year…:
Cut 3 (12) “in 2019”
He says one of the major things working in Edwards favor is that despite a challenging first year in office, he remains popular.

The House Appropriates Committee is meeting again at this hour to work on budget legislation. Speaker Taylor Baras has a proposal that would take fees from certain agencies to put towards the deficit. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne calls the measure a cut to agencies and doesn’t see how it could work. The panel advanced the Rainy Day Fund measures on Wednesday.

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for 2017 Carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey says LSP will send 165 troopers to the Crescent City. She says plain clothes troopers will also be along parade routes looking for individuals with illegal weapons…:
Cut 6 (10) “the past”
She says they rely heavily on the public’s help and encourages folks to let an officer know if you see something suspicious.

the Natchez Democrat is reporting that, for the second time since December, the Police chief of Ferriday has been suspended. Mayor Sherrie Jacobs said the discipline of Arthur Lewis without pay for 30 days is related to administrative issues at the Ferriday Police Department. Jacobs had previous suspended Lewis in December after another incident within the department.

Two budget plans are heading to the House floor that call for more cuts than what the governor has proposed. Covington Representative John Schroder is one of several Republican lawmakers who oppose using 119-million dollars from the state’s savings account to fix a 304-million dollar budget deficit…
cut 15 (09) “…the money”
A vote on these budget proposals will occur on Friday.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces his support for the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which would stretch across 11 parishes from Calcasieu to St. James…:
Cut 7 (10) “as well”
Edwards made the comments during his monthly call in radio show.

The National Safety Council finds motor vehicle deaths in 2016 rose 6-percent nationally from last year, and in Louisiana they’ve increased by five-percent since 2014. Ken Kolosh (Koe-lahsh) with the NSC says they blame distracted driving for the increase…
Cut 10 (10) “the concern”

The United Healthcare Community Plan of Louisiana says its 50-thousand dollar grant to the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana has been very beneficial to teen mothers in the area as it helped them stay in school and receive parenting classes. Allison Young is the CEO at United Healthcare….
cut 6 (09) “…in the nation”
Young says birth outcomes also improved for teen mothers in the program.

A House panel on Wednesday advanced a bill that would use only $74 million from the rainy day fund, instead of the $119 million the governor recommended. The meeting got heated yesterday as Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne argued to Republicans
that this is a midyear $304 million dollar deficit…:
Cut 14 (11) “as much money” (2x)
A bill that uses no rainy day dollars was also approved.

On his monthly call in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the controversial Bayou Bridge Pipeline. He said he doesn’t see a conflict between the pipeline and the state’s coastal restoration masterplan…:
Cut 8 (11) “state law”
He says transporting crude through a pipeline is much safer than by train or truck.

The National Safety Council reports motor vehicle deaths in 2016 increased six-percent from the prior year nationally – in Louisiana crash fatalities up five-percent from 2014. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Teen mothers are seeing better pregnancy and parenting outcomes thanks to a program by Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. The Jus4Me program was funded by the United Healthcare Community Plan and CEO Allison Young says the program enables teen moms to come together and discuss personal issues and get support…:
Cut 5 (10) “access to”

A bill is heading to the House floor that would use only $74 million from the rainy day fund to close a $304 million midyear deficit. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards said on his radio show Wednesday that he believes state Senator Troy Brown, twice convicted of domestic abuse, should resign…:
CUT 9 (09) “distraction”
An expulsion hearing for Brown is slated for Monday.

The National Safety Council finds motor vehicle deaths in 2016 rose 6-percent nationally from last year and in Louisiana they’ve increased by five-percent since 2014. Ken Kolosh (Koe-lahsh(with the NSC says young drivers are more distracted, and alcohol is also a problem. He encourages law makers to address impairment:
CUT 12 (09) “drunk drivers”
He says the concern with young motorists is that they are texting and using social media behind the wheel in higher-than-ever numbers.

Teen mothers are seeing better pregnancy and parenting outcomes thanks to a program by Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana called Jus4me. United Healthcare Community Plan of Louisiana CEO Allison Young says of the 89-percent of young mothers who participated…:
CUT 4 (09) “really important”

A House panel advanced 2 budget plans on the third day of the special session during an intense debate. Republicans don’t want to use the Rainy Day fund to fill the $304 million dollar budget hole the way the governor does. Covington Representative John Schroder says that would just put the state in the same spot next year…:
CUT 15 (09) “the money”
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the predicament the state’s in now is why the savings account was created…;
cUT 16 (09) “coming back” (2x)
One of the bills that advanced doesn’t use the Rainy Day Fund at all and another takes out $74 million instead of Dardenne’s suggestion of $119 million.

As expected, Columbia State Senator Neil Riser officially announces he’s going to run for treasurer. He joins fellow Republican Representatives Julie Stokes and John Schroder.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced his support for the Bayou Bridge Pipeline and the expulsion of state Senator Troy Brown during his monthly call in radio show. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
Today the Governor is speaking at the America’s Westland Foundation Summit to discuss Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan.

Vehicle fatalities in Louisiana rose five-percent since 2014, according to the National Safety Council. Spokesman Ken Kolosh (Koe-lahsh) feels that’s due, in part, because young drivers are not adequately prepared to get behind the wheel…:
Cut 11 (10) “and 20”

The House Appropriations Committee approves legislation that takes only $74 million from the rainy day fund, instead of the $119 million the governor recommended. The vote comes after a heated back and forth between the governor’s chief budget advisor and Republican lawmakers. Covington Representative John Schroder supports the measure…:
Cut 13 (11) “period”
But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the right time to reduce spending isn’t in the middle of the year…:
Cut 14 (11) “as much money” (2x)
A bill that uses no rainy day dollars was also approved, and both proposals are expected to be heard Friday on the House floor.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces his support for the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline…:
Cut 7 (10) “as well”
Edwards made the comments during his 11th monthly call in radio show.

The National Safety Council finds motor vehicle deaths in 2016 rose 6-percent nationally from last year, and in Louisiana they’ve increased by five-percent since 2014. Ken Kolosh (Koe-lahsh) with the NSC says they blame distracted driving for the increase…
Cut 10 (10) “the concern”
He feels young drivers are not adequately prepared to get behind the wheel.

The first hearing on the expulsion of state Senator Troy Brown was held today. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation today that takes only $74 million from the rainy day fund, instead of the $119 million the governor recommended to fix a 304-million dollar shortfall. The budget plan that’s now heading to the House floor calls for cuts to prisons, colleges, and public schools, areas the governor is seeking to protect.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds through a survey that millenials, 19 to 24-year-olds are more dangerous drivers than teenagers. Local AAA spokesperson Don Redman says millenials are more likely to send a text message while driving, speed and run a red light…
ut 15 (09) “…could’ve stopped”

Thanks to an animal rescue group in New Orleans 39 pit bulls in Opelousas were not put to death today, because Tia Torres of Pit Bulls and Parolees have stepped forward to provide the resources to keep the animals alive. Stacey Alleman with St. Landry Parish Animal Control says they put out a plea for help on social media and it’s been successful…
cut 5 (11) “…of Facebook”

We’re three days into the budget cutting special session and Governor John Bel Edwards says there hasn’t been much movement…
cut 30 (17) “…budget deficit”

Republican chairman of the House budget committee Cameron Henry says during negotitations they continue to propose deeper cuts to the Louisiana Department of Health which could be done without impacting patients, but he says the governor doesn’t see it that way…
cut 8 (09) “…financially disasterous”
The budget committee has approved Henry’s bill that would use 74-million dollars from the rainy day fund, which would lead to cuts to colleges, public schools and prisons, areas the governor wanted protected.

The first hearing on state Senator Troy Brown’s expulsion from the Upper Chamber has taken place. Resolutions have been filed seeking to reprimand Brown for his domestic violence convictions. The Napoleonville lawmaker’s lawyer, Jill Craft, requested subpoenas of lawmakers’ texts and emails…:
CUT 9 (10) “constitution provides”
Craft is trying to stop a legislative hearing on the matter saying it would violate Brown’s right to due process. But state Senator JP Morrell says members of the Senate make their own rules…:
CUT 12 (07) “unbecoming a Senator”
Nearly all of Craft’s requests were rejected. The hearing on the expulsion proposal is slated for Monday.